Bangkok (FABC OSC)
Asian delegates who are participating in the October 2024 Synod assembly in Rome held a
three-day preparatory meeting at Baan Phu Waan Pastoral Centre, Bangkok, August 6-9.
President of the Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conferences Cardinal Charles Maung Bo, sdb
in his inaugural Mass, reminded the delegates that synodality is a call to renew the Church
and to revitalise its missionary vocation.
It involves the entire people of God journeying together, listening to one another, and
discerning the way the Holy Spirit. He urged the delegates to reflect on how the Church in
our time and in our diverse contexts can be relevant and be a missionary Church that goes out
to the frontiers, to the periphery, listening to the voices of the poor and marginalized,
continuing the dialogue with the religions and cultures of Asia.
Even as the Synod concludes in October, after our experience of being together with our Holy
Father and the Universal Church, we must continue the journey in our local churches.
During the three days the delegates studied and discussed the working document of the synod
that would be the main focus of the October session. Thirty-eight participants from 17 Asian
countries wo attended the event were divided into six groups and followed the method of
spiritual conversations, widely used for group discussions and study, especially in the synod
assemblies.
The outcome of the discernment will be presented at the concluding session of th synod in
October. The participants expressed joy and hope as they journey together on synodal
pathways, aiming to transform the Church in Asia into a more synodal Church.
Asian Synod Members Hold Meeting Ahead of October Session
